Sleep better, sleep longer, wake refreshed

By Kirsti Shuba

Sleep is one of our most basic needs. The phrase ‘beauty sleep’ shouldn’t be disregarded.

However, as we age, we tend to get less and less sleep, even though our need for it changes very little.

Particularly, for women over 50 getting enough sleep can be a challenge.

As you approach menopause, declining oestrogen and progesterone can cause spikes in body temperature as these hormones control your temperature. Their decline may see your body temperature soar and a hot flush occur leaving you sweaty and awake for hours.

Hormonal shifts may cause changes in mood which affect your sleep. Another hormone, cortisol steadily increases after 40, which may trigger insomnia.

Getting enough sleep is imperative to every part of our health and well-being. But what if sleep eludes you?

We recommend creating a bedtime routine

Here are some of our favourite bedtime hacks:

Just the same as it is for children. A series of steps or activities will help you relax and prepare for sleep.

Keep it consistent and around the same time each night. Your bedtime routine will occupy the best part of the recommended hour with no phone, no computer and no television.

A night-time skin cleansing routine is a great place to start. What’s more the key ingredients in your chosen products will work hard while you sleep.

Our Essential Miracle Cleansing Jelly removes all traces of make-up. You can also use it as a mask on cleansed skin when you relax in your bath.
We love Nurturing Night Balm, an overnight treatment for dry and very dry skin. A beautiful balm to oil consistency which allows you to spend some time massaging your skin to great health.
Or our Repairing Nourishing Mask is the perfect sleep mask. Apply 10 minutes before bed and the creamy formula sinks into your skin. A quick rinse in the morning reveals soft, silky, supple looking skin.

Take a relaxing bath, with essential oils known for their calming sleep-inducing properties. Our favourites are lavender and rose. Ten minutes in the warm water is all you need. Nourish and hydrate your body after your bath with our Nourishing Hydrating Balm. Other than helping your skin feel supple and comfortable. Self-massage is self-care, it’s relaxing and gives you time to reflect on your day.

Prepare your bedroom, keep it well ventilated and an electronic device free zone. Create ambient lighting with lamps, rather than the main ceiling light. Keep a towel close by in case you do wake up in a sweat. Grab a book to read or switch on some soothing music. Finally, spritz your bedding with our Signature Scent Tranquility Linen & Home Mist. The refreshing citrus notes are perfectly blended with a familiar, clean herbal burst of lavender.

Prepare your clothes for tomorrow. Spend time considering which clothes make you look good and feel great. Lay them out with your accessories and shoes. It’s one less hassle in the morning and you’re guaranteed to look fabulous every day. It may also encourage you to wear more than the same 20% of your wardrobe. Think about it… is this true?

Now your bed will be calling. Read a couple of pages and nod off into a peaceful sleep. Awake refreshed and feeling wonderful.

As the cold months roll in it's easy to think SPF can take a backseat in your skincare routine. But Daily DNA Defence SPF30 is much more than just a sunscreen, it’s your final coat of skin armour, it’s weather protection for your skin.

Our award-winning, broad-spectrum SPF protects your skin from more than just UV rays. It guards against environmental pollutants and blue light
emitted from your screens. Meanwhile, winter’s cold air, winds and rain can damage your skin barrier.

During and after exposure to the elements, Daily DNA Defence protects and repairs your cells DNA.

And more than this, it’s the best make-up primer. Talk about a multi-tasking product! Its lightweight formula sits comfortably under your foundation, ensuring your make-up stays fresh and stays ‘put’ all day.

Keep reading as we deep dive into the benefits of Daily DNA Defence SPF30 and why it’s an essential part of your winter skincare regime.

Broad-spectrum, photostable protection with Daily DNA Defence SPF30

Not all SPF products are created equal, Daily DNA Defence SPF30 offers broad-spectrum protection. This means that it shields your skin from both UVA rays (the ones that age your skin) and UVB rays (the ones that burn your skin). If your moisturiser or foundation contains an SPF it’s worth checking, make sure you’re covered for both UVA and UVB. Many of those products only protect against UVB, leaving your skin vulnerable to the long-term damage caused by UVA rays.

I’m guessing that you follow your daily skincare regime to promote skin health and to keep your skin looking great for your age? Using Daily DNA Defence SPF30 will help you avoid undoing all that effort by providing the UVA protection your skin truly needs.

And here's the bonus: our SPF is photostable, meaning it won’t break down or lose effectiveness in the sun. However, if you're by the pool make sure to reapply every two hours as water, sweat and towel drying can remove it, leaving your skin vulnerable.

Blue light and pollution protection

In today’s world, your skin is up against more than just the sun. Daily DNA Defence SPF30 also shields your skin from two often overlooked threats: blue light and pollution.

Blue light, mainly from our smart devices and pollution in the atmosphere. Blue light and pollution trigger changes in your skin cells, even leading to cell death. Unprotected exposure to these will lead to hyperpigmentation and can damage your skin’s health. Most blue light comes from smart technology, which is used daily by most of us. Pollution is all around; levels are higher in towns and cities all year.

DNA Defence and Repair: protecting your skin at the cellular level

When your skin is exposed to radiation it faces more than just surface damage, your cells DNA is at risk. Daily DNA Defence SPF30 acts like a "virtual parasol," shielding your cells during exposure to harmful rays. But the protection doesn’t stop there. After exposure, your body naturally works to repair DNA damage. Your cells naturally produce an enzyme which kickstarts the repair process of your DNA. Thanks to the powerful repairing ingredients in our formula this process is accelerated up to 100 times, meaning your skin recovers faster, stays healthier and sustains less long term damage.

In summary, wear Daily DNA Defence SPF30 as your final coat of skin armour each day in all seasons and you can rest assured you’re doing your best to protect your skin.

Magical make-up priming

We know that finding the perfect daily SPF texture is a challenge. We’ve been there too. Most SPFs feel like a layer too many, leaving skin feeling greasy, heavy or cause foundation to slide off by midday. This is why we made our product for you. A super light veil, which is suitable for even the most sensitive skin. With no oily or white residue, it’s non-pore blocking and
dries over your moisturiser to become the best make-up primer you’ll ever use, keeping your foundation perfectly in place all day or all night long.

No make-up, no problem

For our men and/or non make-up wearers, our handy pocket size product gives you the same invisible veil and matt skin finish. Skiers, golfers and cyclists will love that it slips easily into a pocket, bag or pouch.

Where else should you be applying your SPF?

Your SPF isn’t just for your face, use all the way down to your décollete and up to your hairline. Not forgetting areas like the tops of your lips, ears, nose and the backs of your hands. These are often overlooked spots that are equally exposed to the sun, whether you’re lounging by the pool or simply driving. The backs of your hands are quick to show signs of ageing, so it’s vital to keep them protected. And if you’re grabbing some winter sun make sure to apply it to the tops of your feet.

How much SPF should you use?

Aim for about the size of a 5 pence piece for each application. However, this should come after Step 2 – Skin Boost and Step 3 – Skin Defence Cream in your skincare routine. If you're planning to sunbathe, apply Daily DNA Defence SPF30 at least 15 minutes before heading outside. Once you're in the sun reapply after 15 minutes for the ultimate protection, then continue every two hours.

And remember, swimming, sweating or towel drying can remove your SPF, so be sure to reapply regularly to keep your skin fully protected.